Marianna, Fla. – The Monroe College Men's Basketball team played Gulf Coast State College on Friday in the opening round of the Chipola Classic. Despite strong play and double-digit points by four team members, the Mustangs lost the game, 82-72.
 
Monroe fell behind early, trailing 10-2 just after five minutes of game time. The Mustangs rebounded, scoring five straight points on three-pointer from Christopher Berkley and a bucket from Dani Koljanin. Monroe narrowed Gulf Coast State's lead to 12-11 after Bryan Assie hit a free throw inside of 13 minutes left. The Commodores pulled away, however, ending the half at 43-34.
 
The Gulf Coast State Commodores continued their lead throughout the second half, at one point ahead by 14 points. A three-pointer by Ancrum with just a minute left got the Mustangs within six, but Gulf Coast State had maintained its lead at the buzzer, winning 82-72.
 
Tyler Ancrum led the team with 16 points. Koljanin totaled 11, while Assie and Jarron Chapman each finished with 10.
 
The team is now 9-6 for the season. They play additional games in the Chipola Classic on Saturday and Sunday.